Background
Sir James was the son of Robert Corry, of Turnagardy, Newtownards, Company Down, a quarry owner and Belfast timber merchant.
Sir James was the son of Robert Corry, of Turnagardy, Newtownards, Company Down, a quarry owner and Belfast timber merchant.
Educated at the Royal Belfast Academic Institution, he entered the family timber firm, which was at that time occupied with building the growing industrial port of Belfast. He was first elected to Parliament for the Irish constituency of Belfast in the 1874 general election. The constituency was abolished for the 1885 general election.
On 15 September 1885 he was created a baronet, of Dunraven, Antrim.
On 1 February 1886 he became the Member of Parliament for Mid Armagh in a by-election following the death of John McKane. In July 1886, he joined the Irish Unionist Alliance and stood for subsequent elections for this party.
21st United Kingdom Parliament. 22nd United Kingdom Parliament. 23rd United Kingdom Parliament.
24th United Kingdom Parliament]
He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) from 1874 to 1885 and an Irish Unionist Alliance Member of Parliament from 1886 until his death.